Which estate for up to 10k?

[Hairymonster]

Hello boyz 'n' girlz

My Skoda Octavia lease is up soon and I'm going to buy a car - I need an estate (dogs, bikes, music flight cases), pref. manual, probably better have petrol because 90% of my journeys are less than 5 miles and I don't want DPF misery (unless there are any diesels which aren't afflicted by this). Twice a year we drive to Italy to see relatives, so want something happy to cruise all day at 80-ish in relative comfort. Would prefer less than 100k miles and not more then 8 years old.

Yes, I'd love an Alpina B5, but energy prices need to be functioned into the equation. Must have climate control, sat nav and preferably cruise control.I do not clean my cars often and it'll be kept outside. It will always be serviced on the button and oil etc checked regularly. It may not look pretty but it'll be mechanically sound. I want a device, but would prefer if it had a bit of PH-ness about it.

So the shortlist goes something like this:

Mondeo 1.5 (new 'Aston grille' model)
Mazda 6 2.0
Fiat Tipo 1.4 lounge
Vauxhall Insignia
Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSi
BMW 316i/318i
Volvo V50/V60

I don't like Peugeots, Astras, Renaults, Focus's (Focii?), Passats, Toyotas (yawn), Civics, Seats or SUVs
I would have a Kia or Hyundai, but 98% of them seem to be diesel. Would like a change from the Skoda, though it has been a great car.

I would also consider an older Merc, though it's hard to spot which, if any from the last 20 years, have the legendary build quality or reliability that the old W124 series had. Would even by a manual petrol Merc, which I've heard you should never do. Any options here?

Anyway, wot do you lot recommend?

Thanks in advance - HM

[samoht]

This 328i looks nice - 2.0T so a decent balance of performance and economy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201051...

[Luke.]

Subaru Outback. Bloody loved ours. Brilliant cars.

We had a 2005 and that generation are unsurpassed.

This kind of thing:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205135...

Though if you want new shape and manual....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202283...

Edited by Luke. on Sunday 22 May 20:30

[Lee Jones Jnr]

Gotta be Volvo surely?

[Hairymonster]

samoht said:

This 328i looks nice - 2.0T so a decent balance of performance and economy
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202201051...

Yup - I spotted that - definitely a contender, i'm a bit nervous about the miles.

[Hairymonster]

Luke. said:

Subaru Outback. Bloody loved ours. Brilliant cars. We had a 2005 and that generation are unsurpassed.

This kind of thing:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205135...

Though if you want new shape and manual....

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202202283...

I'd consider a Scoob, though the 3 litre auto will be VERY thirsty, plus top rate of road tax. The other is a diesel and I'd be concerned about DPF issues as most of our journeys are fairly local.

[Hairymonster]

Lee Jones Jnr said:

Gotta be Volvo surely?

Had a 2003 V70 D5 back in the day - superb car, very comfortable. Gearbox went kaput at about 150k but engine was solid enough.

[AmyRichardson]

Boring as it sounds the Insignia is probably the pick, simply because the way prices are at the minute and Vauxhalls always seem a slice cheaper than their competitors.

I wouldn't touch the pre-2017 model but £10k just about gets you into the new one, which is a perfectly good car.

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Bit older than what you want but just picked up a 2011 facelift C-Class estate but with low (50k) miles. 1.8T petrol bought for similar reasons to yourself (lots of short journeys with occasional longer ones). Build quality seems brilliant. Big boot for the car's size (needed to be with dog and need for my wife's wheelchair), quiet and refined and hopefully cheap to run!

[ninjag]

My neighbour has the latest Insignia and it's a very nice looking car, especially the interior.

If you could stretch an extra £2k (or less with some haggling) you could get into one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205135...

[Hairymonster]

AmyRichardson said:

Boring as it sounds the Insignia is probably the pick, simply because the way prices are at the minute and Vauxhalls always seem a slice cheaper than their competitors.

I wouldn't touch the pre-2017 model but 10k just about gets you into the new one, which is a perfectly good car.

ninjag said:

My neighbour has the latest Insignia and it's a very nice looking car, especially the interior.

If you could stretch an extra 2k (or less with some haggling) you could get into one:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205135...

Probably not a bad shout - the new one looks quite sleek.

[Hairymonster]

DaveyBoyWonder said:

Bit older than what you want but just picked up a 2011 facelift C-Class estate but with low (50k) miles. 1.8T petrol bought for similar reasons to yourself (lots of short journeys with occasional longer ones). Build quality seems brilliant. Big boot for the car's size (needed to be with dog and need for my wife's wheelchair), quiet and refined and hopefully cheap to run!

I have always wanted a Merc, but not a fancy one. Frankfurt Airport Taxi spec is fine by me. I just want something that goes on, and on, and on....

[Drooles]

Watching with interest as I could do with a similar car within a similar budget

[georgeyboy12345]

Here's what I'd recommend

Ford Mondeo 1.5T Ecoboost Titanium
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203013...


Honda Civic 1.8 i-VTEC SR Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205185...


Audi A4 Avant 1.8 TFSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205125...


Vauxhall Insignia 1.4i Turbo Sports Tourer
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202203294...


VW Golf Variant 1.4 TSI
https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202205015...

[DaveyBoyWonder]

Hairymonster said:

I have always wanted a Merc, but not a fancy one. Frankfurt Airport Taxi spec is fine by me. I just want something that goes on, and on, and on....

You need a S124!

[Bannock]

Amazed to see someone else finally notice the Tipo. But be careful, you want the 1.4 T-Jet, not the 1.4 94PS.

These are probably the best value for money proposition in the class of car you're looking at and criminally overlooked in the UK. You will get a far, far newer one for your budget than anything else you've listed. They're big, practical and comfy - I've done a few European motorway miles in one, admittedly a diesel though, but the ride, space and comfort will all be the same in a petrol version.

Really recommend you take a look at one at least.

Having said that, I chose to buy a Honda Civic 1.8 petrol estate - because they're a bit pokier than the Tipo in petrol guise (wish there was a 1.8/2.0 Tipo), even more practical, and most importantly for me available with a TC auto gearbox. I know you said you don't like Civics but I can't recommend them highly enough. It's like having a "warm" hatchback in a completely anonymous body with estate car paracticality and (in my case) flawless reliability. I love mine and don't regret it for a second.

[Jamescrs]

I drive a lot of Octavias, Insignias and Peugeot 508's as work cars and when I have my own choice of them i'll take an Insignia every time, They feel to have more room than an Octavia and I find them better laid out for driver controls than a Peugeot.